Electro-optical properties of high birefringence liquid crystal compounds with isothiocyanate and naphthyl group

Liquid crystal（LC） compound with isothiocyanate and naphthyl group is an attractive high birefringence LC material,and can be used in optical devices. In this paper, the electro-optical properties of a series of this type of LC compounds were investigated. The melting points and enthalpy values of these LC compounds were higher than those of corresponding compounds with the phenyl group. These compounds exhibited high birefringence with a maximum value of 0.66. Fluorine substitution in the molecular almost does not affect the birefringence value. When these LC compounds with the naphthyl group were dissolved in a commercial LC mixture, the electro-optical properties depending on temperature were investigated. In the low-temperature region, LC mixtures with the naphthyl-group LC compounds exhibited higher viscosity than pure commercial LCs. In the high-temperature region, viscosity values very closely approached each other. When response performance was investigated, figure-of-merit（FoM） values were measured. The Fo M values of LC mixtures containing LC compounds with naphthyl group were lower than those of reference benzene LCs in the low-temperature region. However, in the high-temperature region, the results were reversed. These isothiocyanate LC compounds with naphthyl group can be applied in special fast-response LC device, particularly the ones used under high-temperature conditions.

Creating a bionic scaffold via light-curing liquid crystal ink to reveal the role of osteoid-like microenvironment in osteogenesis

Osteoid plays a crucial role in directing cell behavior and osteogenesis through its unique characteristics,including viscoelasticity and liquid crystal(LC)state.Thus,integrating osteoid-like features into 3D printing scaffolds proves to be a promising approach for personalized bone repair.Despite extensive research on viscoelasticity,the role of LC state in bone repair has been largely overlooked due to the scarcity of suitable LC materials.Moreover,the intricate interplay between LC state and viscoelasticity in osteogenesis remains poorly understood.Here,we developed innovative hydrogel scaffolds with osteoid-like LC state and viscoelasticity using digital light processing with a custom LC ink.By utilizing these LC scaffolds as 3D research models,we discovered that LC state mediates high protein clustering to expose accessible RGD motifs to trigger cell-protein interactions and osteogenic differentiation,while viscoelasticity operates via mechanotransduction pathways.Additionally,our investigation revealed a synergistic effect between LC state and viscoelasticity,amplifying cellprotein interactions and osteogenic mechanotransduction processes.Furthermore,the interesting mechanochromic response observed in the LC hydrogel scaffolds suggests their potential application in mechanosensing.Our findings shed light on the mechanisms and synergistic effects of LC state and viscoelasticity in osteoid on osteogenesis,offering valuable insights for the biomimetic design of bone repair scaffolds.

Naphthylethyne based liquid crystals with high birefringence and characteristics of selective reflection

A series of high birefringence liquid crystalline molecules with cyano, isothiocyanato and trifluoromethyl terminal compounds based on naphthylethyne core was successfully synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of the intermediates and resulting compounds were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared （FT-IR）, nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR）, mass spectrometry （MS）, and elemental analysis （EA）. Their thermal stability, transition temperatures, and phase sequences were investigated by simultaneous thermal analyzer polarized （STA）, optical microscopy （POM） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. The birefringence was measured by using an Abbe refractometer. In addition, the selective reflection characteristics with naphthylethyne compounds were also studied.

MECHANICAL PERTURBATION INDUCED MOLECULAR ALIGNMENTS IN A SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYACETYLENE, POLY{10-[4-(4'-METHOXYPHENOXY-CARBOML)PHENOXYCARBONYL]-1-DECYNE}

A new liquid crystalline polyacetylene containing a phenyl benzoate mesogen (5) is synthesized,whose mesomorphic properties are found to be easily 'tunab1e' by simple mechanical perturbation. Thepolymerization of 10- [ 4 - (4' -methoxyphenoxycarbonyl )phenoxycarbonyl] - 1 -decyne (4 ) in itiated by theWCl_6-Ph_4Sn/dioxane complex yields polymer 5 with a M_w of 28400. The molecular structure of 5 ischaracterized by NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopy and its liquid crystalline behavior is investigated by DSC,POM, and XRD analysis. Upon mechanical perturbation, 5 exhibits unusual agitation-induced high-strengthdisclinations, shear-induced inversion walls, and solidification-induced banded textures. Such phenomenahave been observed in the main-chain liquid crystalline polymers with rigid backbones, but have seldom beenreported for the side-chain liquid crystalline polymers with flexible backbones, suggesting that the rigidpolyacetylene backbone of 5 plays a constructive role in inducing the novel molecular alignments.

An active coronagraph using a liquid crystal array for exoplanet imaging:principle and testing

High-contrast imaging coronagraphs, used for the detection of exoplanets, have always adopted passive coronagraph optical components. It is therefore impossible to actively optimize the coronagraphs to achieve their best performance. To solve this problem, we propose a novel high-contrast imaging coronagraph which combines a liquid crystal array （LCA） for active pupil apodization and a deformable mirror （DM） for phase correction. The LCA we use is an amplitude-only spatial light mod- ulator. The LCA is well calibrated and compensates for its amplitude non-uniformity and nonlinear intensity responsivity. We measured the imaging contrasts of the coron- agraph system with the LCA only and without the DM deployed. Imaging contrasts of 10-4 and 10-5 can be reached at an inner working angular distance of 2.5 and 5A/D, respectively. A simulation shows that the phase errors on the coronagraph pupil limit the contrast performance. The contrast could be further improved if a DM is deployed to correct the phase errors induced by the LCA and coronagraph optics.

COMPENSATION EFFECT OF POLYIMIDE THIN FILMS ON NORMALLY WHITE TWISTED NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS

The disadvantages of Normally White Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Display (NW-TN-LCD) were discussed. The reason that the negative birefringent polyimide thin films were used to compensate NW-TN-LCD to decrease off-axis leakage, improve contrast ratios and enlarge viewing angles was explained in this paper. A certain polyimide thin film was taken as an example to show compensation effect on NW-TN-LCD.

Optical Measurements of Thermotropic Liquid Crystals

In this work, an experimental approach was used for measuring birefringence of thermotropic liquid crystal materials at different wavelengths in the visible region by using speckle interferometry. Also the values of the refractive indices were measured for these thermotropic liquid crystal materials in isotropic and liquid crystal phases at different wave-lengths. Temperature dependency of the refractive indices for each LC sample at certain wavelengths was investigated in the isotropic and in LC phases.

Optical Measurements and Speckle Photography for Thermotropic Liquid Crystals Mixtures

In this work, an experimental approach of speckle photography was used for measuring birefringence of thermotropic liquid crystals mixtures at different wavelengths in the visible region. Also the dispersion relations were investigated. The values of the refractive indices were measured for these mixtures of thermotropic liquid crystals in isotropic and liquid crystal phase at different wavelengths. The effect of the end group of these LCs used on the values of birefringence was investigated and discussed.

Low dielectric constant and highly intrinsic thermal conductivity fluorine-containing epoxy resins with ordered liquid crystal structures

Epoxy resins with a high dielectric constant and low intrinsic thermal conductivity coefficient cannot meet the current application requirements of advanced electronic and electrical equipment.Therefore,novel fluorine-containing liquid crystal epoxy compounds(TFSAEy)with fluorinated groups,biphenyl units,and flexible alkyl chains are first synthesized via amidation and esterification reactions.Then,4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane(DDM)is used as a curing agent to prepare the corresponding fluorine-containing liquid crystal epoxy resins.The obtained dielectric constant(ε)and dielectric loss(tanδ)values of TFSAEy/DDM at 1 MHz are 2.54 and 0.025,respectively,which are significantly lower than those of conventional epoxy resins(E-51/DDM,3.52 and 0.038).Additionally,the intrinsic thermal conductivity coefficient(λ)of TFSAEy/DDM is 0.36 W/(m⋅K),71.4%higher than that of E-51/DDM(0.21 W/(m⋅K)).Meanwhile,the corresponding elastic modulus,hardness,glass transition temperature,and heat resistance index of TFSAEy/DDM are 5.73 GPa,0.35 GPa,213.5◦C,and 188.7℃,respectively,all superior to those of E-51/DDM(3.68 GPa,0.27 GPa,107.2℃,and 174.8℃),presenting potential application in high-heating electronic component packaging and printed circuit boards.

Arbitrary and reconfigurable optical vortex generation:a high-efficiency technique using director-varying liquid crystal fork gratings

A high-efficiency technique for optical vortex(OV) generation is proposed and demonstrated. The technique is based on liquid crystal fork gratings with space-variant azimuthal orientations, which are locally controlled via polarization-sensitive alignment layers. Thanks to the optical rewritability of the alignment agent and the dynamic image generation of the digital micro-mirror device, fork gratings can be instantly and arbitrarily reconfigured.Corresponding optical vortices carrying arbitrary azimuthal and radial indices are demonstrated with a conversion efficiency of 98.5%, exhibiting features of polarization control and electrical switching. The technique may pave a bright road toward OV generation, manipulation, and detection.

Polymerization enabled reduction of the electrically induced birefringence change in nematic liquid crystals

Electric fields modify the optical properties of nematic liquid crystals(NLCs) by changing the nematic molecular orientation or order parameters, which enables electro-optic applications of NLCs. However, the field-induced optic change is undesirable in some cases. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that polymer stabilization weakens the birefringence change of NLCs caused by the nanosecond electrically modified order parameter effect. The birefringence change is reduced by 65% in the NLC doped with 25% reactive monomer, which is polymerized close to the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition. This technique could be used in liquid crystal devices where the birefringence change is unfavored.

Surface Anchoring Stabilized High Strength Disclinations in Smectic C Phase of a Schiff-base Liquid Crystal

The observation of disclination cores of high strength S=-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8 in a smectic C phase of Schiff-base type liquid crystal (LC) is reported. The results of polarizing optical microscope (POM), dif-ferential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) prove that the sample exhibits smectic C phase. It is suggested that the formation of the high strength disclination is mainly ascribed to the stronger anchoring of LC molecules on the substrate due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the pendent hydroxyl of the LC molecule and the substrate.

High Azimuthal Index Doughnut Beam Generated by Liquid Crystal Spiral Phase Plates

A novel technique of producing azimuthal index 1>1 doughnut beam of good quality by use of multi-liquid crystal cells is presented, it has the advantages of high conversion efficiency and flexibility.

High damage threshold liquid crystal binary mask for laser beam shaping

In order to improve the damage threshold and enlarge the aperture of a laser beam shaper, photolithographic patterning technology is adopted to design a new type of liquid crystal binary mask. The inherent conductive metal layer of commercial liquid crystal electro-optical spatial light modulators is replaced by azobenzene-based photoalignment layers patterned by noncontact photolithography. Using the azobenzene-based photoalignment layer, a liquid crystal binary mask for beam shaping is fabricated. In addition, the shaping ability, damage threshold, write/erase flexibility and stability of the liquid crystal binary mask are tested. Using a 1 Hz near-IR(1064 nm) laser, the multiple-shot nanosecond damage threshold of the liquid crystal mask is measured to be higher than 15 J/cm^2. The damage threshold of the azobenzenebased photoalignment layer is higher than 50 J/cm^2 under the same testing conditions.

High energy and long pulse generation with high-birefringence photonic crystal fibre and laser-diode pumped regenerative amplifier

We report on the generation of a high energy and long pulse for pumping optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification （OPCPA） by a high-birefringence photonic crystal fibre （HB-PCF） and a laser-diode-pumped regenerative chirped pulse amplifier. Using the femtosecond pump pulse centred at 815 nm, a 1064 nm soliton pulse is produced in the HB-PCF. After injecting it into an Nd：YAG regenerative amplifier with the glass etalons, a narrow-band amplified pulse with an energy of -4 mJ and a duration of 235 ps is achieved at a repetition rate of 10 Hz, which is suitable for being used as a pump source in the 800 nm OPCPA system.

Liquid crystalline texture and hydrogen bond on the thermal conductivities of intrinsic thermal conductive polymer films

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal(PDLC)films comprising polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)and liquid crystal monomer(LCM)were successfully obtained by the method of solution casting&thermal compressing.LCM was distributed orderly in PVA matrix by hydrogen bond interaction,to form PVA-LCM interpe net rating-layered networks.When the mass fraction of LCM was up to 35 wt%,the corresponding in-plane thermal conductivity coefficient(λ//)of PDLC film was significantly increased to 1.41 W m^(-1)K^(-1),about 10.8 times that of neat PVA(0.13 W m^(-1)K^(-1)).High intrinsicλ//values of PDLC films were mainly attributed to the formed microscopic-ordered structures from ordered stacking of LCM,ordered arrangement of PVA chains,and their hydrogen bond interaction.This work would offer a new way to design and prepare novel intrinsic high thermal conductive polymers.

Temperature-dependent optical response of phase-only nematic liquid crystal on silicon devices

Wavelength-dependent birefringence and dielectric anisotropy.two major optical properties of the nematie liquid crystal materials used in phase-only liquid crystal on silicon（LCOS） devices,are measured as a function of operating temperatures.The dynamic phase modulation depth and threshold voltage of these phase-only LCOS devices are also measured in the corresponding temperature range and compared with theoretical predictions.The results show that the dynamic response time can he reduced significantly by an appropriate increase ol device operative temperature,while the necessary device elements,such as phase modulation depth and threshold voltage,can be maintained at the same time.

Studies on the Technology and Mechanism of Laser Photoinduced Alignment of Liquid Crystal

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Wideband, 50 dB Attenuation Range Liquid Crystal Based Variable Optical Attenuator

A compact variable optical attenuator, covering C and L bands with over 50 dB attenuation range, is realized using a single liquid crystal cell with a tilted fused silica coating compensating the cell's small residual birefringence.

Polarisation-sensitive four-wave mixing and soliton self-frequency shift effect in the highly birefringent photonic crystal fibre

By adjusting the polarisation state of the pump at 805 nm parallel to slow （x） and fast （y） axes of the highly birefringent photonic crystal fibre with zero dispersion wavelengths 790 nm and 750 nm, this paper demonstrates the efficient polarisation-sensitive four wave mixing involved in pump, anti-Stokes and Stokes signals and soliton self- frequency shift effects induced by the phase-matching between red-shifted solitons and blue-shifted dispersive waves. If the reduction of coupling efficiency to the circular pump laser mode or other circular fibres due to asymmetry of the core is neglected, more than 98% of the total input power is kept in a single linear polarisation. Controlled dispersion characteristic of the doublet of fundamental guided-modes results in achieving light field strongly confined in principal axes of photonic crystal fibre, and enhancing the corresponding nonlinear-optical process through the remarkable nonlinear birefringence.